Microtis unifolia

Common Name:

Common Onion-orchid

Family:

Orchidaceae

Distribution (from Flora of Victoria):

All regions except Murray Mallee, Snowfields (ABCDEHJKLMNPRSTUVWXYZ) all States except NT
Map - Australasian Virtual Herbarium

Distribution and ecological preference at Wilsons Promontory (if known):

Damp depressions and other wet areas. May also be found in dry environments ¹
found in swamps, rocky outcrops and open-grassland

Flower Description:

Pale green ¹

Habit:

Terrestrial orchid to 55 cm tall ²

Distinguishing characteristics (within family/genus):

This species sprouts from a small globular tuber in winter. Flowers are crowded in a dense spike at the tip of the stem. There is a single, thick, fleshy, hollow leaf that is about 80 cm long ²

Images:

Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia MELU

Links to description of this species:

NSW Flora VicFlora

Conservation status:

Not threatened

References:

¹ Meagher, D. and Kohout, M. (2001). “A field guide to Wilsons Promontory”. Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Vic.
² Walsh, N. G. and Entwisle, T. J. “Flora of Victoria”, volumes 2 (1994), 3 (1996) and 4 (1999). Inkata Press, Port Melbourne, Victoria